Breaking Taboos: Older Australians talk about mental health
Breaking Taboos is a ten-part conversational podcast about ageing and mental health. The episodes explore how older Australians experience mental health, focusing on depression in later life, creating social connections, intergenerational living, experiences of grief, retiring and transitioning into aged care, late-life gender transition, living with HIV/AIDS as an older person and how some people don't want to talk about their experiences to avoid burdening others.
The series seeks to inform listeners about diverse mental health experiences, raise awareness about challenges faced by older adults, and celebrate the wisdom that comes with lived experience.
The podcast is produced by Dr Helene Thomas and Professor Mia Lindgren, with host Professor Kate Burridge.
Breaking Taboos is funded by the Australian Research Council for the national project "De-tabooing depression and anxiety: Mental health communication in older age", led by researchers from Monash University, Corvinius University of Budapest and the University of Tasmania.
Breaking Taboos explore topics that can be difficult to listen to. Please take care and seek help if needed (Australian resources):
- Lifeline – 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | www.beyondblue.org.au
- Older Persons Mental Health Services | Check with your local health district
- Carer Gateway – 1800 422 737 | Support for those caring for older adults
- Head to Health | www.headtohealth.gov.au (for finding local mental health services)
- Griefline | 1300 845 745
- ACON - HIV Support- 02 9206 2000 | https://www.acon.org.au/what-we-are-here-for/hiv-support/
- LGBTIQ+ Health Australia - 02 7209 6301 | https://www.lgbtiqhealth.org.au/services_and_supports
Breaking Taboos: Older Australians talk about mental health
Episode 3: Don't want to be a burden - Kay and Eva's Story
In this episode - Don’t want to be a burden - we hear from two women, one almost 90-year-old and the other is in her late 70s. The women have chosen to use a pseudonym for this podcast, and so we are calling them Kay and Eva.
Kay and Eva have both experienced their fair share of hardships throughout their lives, but have chosen to keep these experiences to themselves, so as not to burden others with what they’re going through.
The women talk about how they navigate getting older and the strategies they use to get through difficult times.
Kay lives in Perth, Western Australia. Our producer Helene Thomas met her at Connect Victoria Park, a centre that offers a range of healthy aging programs. Eva lives in Hobart, Tasmania, and we met her through University of the Third Age, an organisation that provides courses on everything from German to astronomy.
This episode contains discussions of difficult subject matter. Please take care while listening.
Below are contacts and links to mental health support services (Australia-wide):
- Lifeline – 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | www.beyondblue.org.au
- Older Persons Mental Health Services – Check with your local health district
- Carer Gateway – 1800 422 737 | Support for those caring for older adults
- Head to Health – www.headtohealth.gov.au for finding local mental health services